Automated bioculture and bioculture experiments system

Abstract

The present invention provides a feedback controlled bioculture platform for use as a precision cell biology research tool and for clinical cell growth and maintenance applications. The system provides individual closed-loop flowpath cartridges, with integrated, aseptic sampling and routing to collection vials or analysis systems. The system can operate in a standard laboratory or other incubator for provision of requisite gas and thermal environment. System cartridges are modular and can be operated independently or under a unified system controlling architecture, and provide for scale-up production of cell and cell products for research and clinical applications. Multiple replicates of the flowpath cartridges allow for individual, yet replicate cell culture growth and multiples of the experiment models that can be varied according to the experiment design, or modulated to desired cell development of cell culture end-points. The integral flowpath cartridge aseptic sampling system provides for dynamic analysis of metabolic products or representative cells from the culture.

Description

[0001]This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 109,712, filed Apr. 1, 2002, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 967,995, filed Oct. 2, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,996.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The field of the invention is automated cell culture systems, cell culture growth chambers and automated sampling systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Cell culture has been utilized for many years in life science research in an effort to better understand and manipulate the cellular component of living systems. Cells are typically grown in a static environment, on petri dishes or flasks, in which each experiment uses a stream of sterile, disposable products. These cell culture methods are very labor-intensive especially when a large number of studies need to be performed.[0004]Traditional cell culture systems depend on controlled environments for cell maintenance, growth, expansion, and testing....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a precision bioculturing support system that includes a cell culture apparatus for use within an incubator. The apparatus includes a media flowpath assembly cartridge with an outer shell or housing, a pump, at least one valve, a control interface, and a disposable sterile media perfusion flowpath loop. The media perfusion loop contains at least one biochamber, tubing, a gas permeable membrane, and a media reservoir. The apparatus also includes an incubator rack for supporting multiple flowpath assembly cartridges. The rack includes grooves for holding the cartridges, data interface connections for transmitting data between the rack and the cartridges, and a control interface for communication with an external computer or other data storage / user interface device. The invention also provides an automated sampling capability with a fluidic pump, check valve, and means for maintaining the sterility of the carrier fluid. The invention further provides a biochamber that can be used in static cell culture or in a perfusion apparatus. The biochamber includes a first chamber, a cover, and an insert positioned between the first chamber and the cover, thereby forming a second chamber."

Problems solved by technology

These cell culture methods are very labor-intensive especially when a large number of studies need to be performed.

Despite these measures, outbreaks of contamination in traditional cell culture laboratories, e.g., fungus or bacterial contamination, commonly occur, often with the impact of compromising weeks of research and halting operations for days or weeks.

Cells can be harmed when removed from their thermal and gas environment.

The frequent transport and manipulation of the culture represents an opportunity for contamination from a single bacterium that can cause weeks of work to be wasted.

In an age where genetically engineered products will be FDA approved and drug compound costs are hundreds of millions of dollars, the traditional way of performing cell culture is no longer acceptable.

This is particularly difficult to accomplish when culture viability is determined solely on subjective visual cues, i.e., medium color and visualization under a microscope.

Additionally, many bioreactor designs impede the successful recovery of expanded cells and tissues and also can limit mid-procedure access to cells for purposes of process monitoring.

Many require the destruction of the bioreactor during the harvesting process.

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